Washington transfer OL Parker Brailsford to visit Alabama

When former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer signed on to be the successor to Nick Saban at Alabama, many assumed that plenty of Washington Huskies players would follow him to Tuscaloosa. He might have one of his offensive linemen follow him soon. On Wednesday evening, Washington transfer offensive lineman Parker Brailsford set an official visit with the Tide this weekend, as BamaOnline reported on their premium message board. He was named All-Pac-12 as a redshirt freshman this season.

Brailsford spent two seasons with the Huskies, making 15 appearances and 15 starts. He did not see any action during his freshman season. Brailsford started the first two games of the 2023 campaign at right guard and played the final 13 games at center.

Brailsford was a pivotal piece of Washington’s front five, which was given the Joe Moore Award this season, an honor annually given to the best offensive line in the nation. Washington’s offensive only allowed 12 sacks in 15 games this season, the fifth-least in the country.

It isn’t a coincidence the Huskies averaged the second-most passing yards in the nation this year. Brailsford is only the latest Washington player to enter the transfer portal. The program has seen a mass exodus since head coach Kalen DeBoer left to become Nick Saban’s successor at Alabama.

Parker Brailsford played high school football at Saguaro (AZ), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 501 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Inside Kalen DeBoer’s resume, tall task he’s facing as he replaces Nick Saban at Alabama

DeBoer’s resume is impressive. Over his nine years as a head coach — four at NAIA Sioux Falls from 2005-09, two at Fresno State from 2020-21 and two at Washington from 2022-23 — he has a 104-12 career record. That includes a 25-3 record with the Huskies, and he took the program to its first-ever national championship game, where they fell to Michigan Monday night in Houston.

DeBoer is also known as an impressive offensive mind, spending most of his career as an offensive coordinator before becoming a head coach. Now, he’s gearing up to replace Saban — which he noted in his statement.

“I have always had an incredible respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence,” DeBoer said. “The tradition-rich history of this program is unmatched across the landscape of college athletics, and I look forward to continuing that moving forward. Following Coach Saban is an honor. He has been the standard for college football, and his success is unprecedented. I would not have left Washington for just any school. The chance to lead the football program at The University of Alabama is the opportunity of a lifetime.

“My family and I feel truly blessed and look forward to becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community. I want to thank Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, President Stuart R. Bell, Chancellor Finis St. John and The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees for their belief in me to lead this program.”

Saban spent 17 years at Alabama, leading the Crimson Tide to six national championships and winning 201 games during that time. In addition to his trophies, he developed an extensive coaching tree, featuring plenty of big-name coaches such as Texas’ Steve Sarkisian and Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin, among many others.

On3’s Nick Schultz and Grant Grubbs also contributed to this article.